From The L.I. Catholic, December 19, 1999
Children’s show first shown on Telecare extending reach
by Pete Sheehan

Part 2

Both the toys and the music sold well, Tim said. “We sold 20,000 tapes in the first couple months” and quickly sold 50,000 toys in the Zebby line, all concentrated on Long Island. With the popularity of the toys and music, “Zebby’s Zoo” characters soon began making public appearances. The growing visibility of Zebby and friends caught the attention of Msgr. Thomas Hartman, director of Telecare. “Father Tom is an old family friend,” Ed said, and they talked about putting Zebby on television. “We’ve been trying to do more with children’s programs, particularly with a Long Island flavor,” Msgr. Hartman said. So, in 1997, Zebby began running on Telecare, using its Uniondale studio. Later, production moved elsewhere, but “Zebby’s Zoo” still is on Telecare. “It’s turned out even better than we thought,” Msgr. Hartman said, offering a lively half-hour while fostering positive values. “Kids learn that they are important, that they are part of a community, and that if you work hard, you can be a very special person,” Msgr. Hartman said. Tim

Wahl cited the continuous music, which appeals to children and keeps their attention. “Look left, look right, look left again,” in crossing the street, children are advised in a catchy song about safety. Another song, “Kindness Comes Around,” sung by Lazy Lion, celebrates the Golden Rule. “Zebby’s Zoo” also features visits with Fireman Rick about fire safety, sessions on exercise with Captain Cadence, and lessons on math, nutrition, and even a visit to the dentist. Tim said they are now filming 13 new episodes, with improved costumes and sets, which should help expand Zebby’s profile nationally. Since 1998, Zebby has been picked up by cable systems in California and parts of the Great Lakes region, and by Odyssey, a national religious cable channel based in Manhattan. Msgr. Hartman said that he is happy with Zebby’s success and its movement into public television. “At Telecare, we can sometimes serve as a minor league or an off-Broadway stage, to let something new develop. “We don’t just want good programs for our audience, but better programs everywhere for everyone.”